Despite their bullying, the militia’s actions will be dealt with – whether by new law or by the people when they have finally taken all they can bare.

I can only imagine what the future holds for us

“The country is mine, it is also yours, it is not for Grace alone,” she
said. “I have told people that I will die for this land this time around.”

I sincerely hope she does.

I am sure that any armed insurrection which Mugabe seemingly has planned as a welcome to Morgan’s victory will simply peter out and fall apart as the majority of rebels soon come to realize that attacking their kith and kin for the promise of more of the same under Mugabe is a wasted cause. They, and other forces will soon link up with a new ‘patriotic front’ and any that may decide to ‘go back to the bush’ will not prevent the changeover to democracy for which the vast majority of Zimbabweans crave.

Postal Address: Private Bag X1000 Pretoria 0001
Telephone: 012 300-5331
Fax: 012 321-8870
e-mail: samson@po.gov.za

While searching I found this, and thought I would share it. Gave me a bit of a laugh. Written by Ray Hartley, the editor of The Times, South Africa.

A sad, tearful goodbye to Essop Pahad
23 May 2008, 12:06 GMT + 2

I AM still reeling at Essop Pahad’s announcement that he will not be returning to Cabinet after the 2009 election. The nation is bereft. Here was a man unafraid to tell the world of the conspiracy between the lumpen proliteriate and the right wing to fuel xenophobic violence. No other politician was brave enough to make this seemingly outrageous link between poor, unemployed squatters and race-hating white extremists. But Pahad was willing to endure the snickers and laughter of thousands to place his views on record.

When all were silent and downcast at the behaviour of the Health Minister in hospital, Pahad had the courage to call for government advertisers to boycott the Sunday Times. The fact that this boycott failed dismally is testiment to Pahad’s courage and his willingness to champion unpopular causes, his willingness to run the gauntlett of ridicule to fight for a principal.

Pahad’s lonely, but relentless assault on the media, which is doing everything in its power to destroy South Africa, will be much missed. In his absence stories may appear which do not properly toe the party line on politics and we all know how dire that will be for this delicate land.

We now face a bleak and soul-destroying future in which articles are written without fear of heavy-handed contradiction from the highest political office in the land.
Who will convene summits of government and media leaders in which lecturing, hectoring and threats will be used to try and undermine the independence of so-called editors in the name of so-called freedom of expression?
I weep for our desperate land.

http://www.int.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=68&art_id=nw20080613120351569C547549

Can Zim election be free and fair?

The deteriorating political situation in Zimbabwe does not mean that the country’s June 27 presidential elections will not be free and fair, Minister in the Presidency Essop Pahad said on Friday.

Briefing the media in Cape Town, Pahad cited a number of countries where the elections were declared free and fair despite acts of violence ahead of the polls.

“The important thing is – if it is held – those who are going to monitor the elections have to make a determination on whether they were free and fair,” he said.

It was difficult at this stage to determine whether the polls would be free and fair.

The South African government’s role would be to ensure that the current violence gripping Zimbabwe, was halted.

“That has to come to an end,” Pahad said.

On the arrest of the MDC Secretary General Tendai Biti on Thursday, Pahad said it was important for the Zimbabwean government to bring him before the courts as soon as possible so that he could be given an opportunity to defend himself against the treason charges police were planning to lay against him .

There was evidence that the Zimbabwean courts were still discharging their functions in an non-partisan manner.

“The courts are functioning,” he said.

On the mystery of a scathing letter allegedly written by MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai to President Mbeki, Pahad insisted that the Presidency had not received such a letter.

He did not rule out legal action against the Sunday Times for publishing an article suggesting that Director General in the Presidency Frank Chikane had lied when he said that Mbeki had not received the letter. – Sapa